Kansas takes care of Tennessee Tech
Earlier in the week, Kansas coach Bill Self stressed to his team they needed to have better ball movement if they wanted to reach their potential offensively. If Friday's 112-75 win against Tennessee Tech was any indication, then it looks like the team heard Self's message loud and clear.
For the first time all season, five players reached double-digit point totals. After the game, Self told his team that they played their best offensive game of the season.
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"We just got some good looks," Self said. "The ball really moved and we played inside and out. We have been stressing ball movement and not sticking and it is moving. The problem is that we have been stressing offense, that we have forgot to guard a little bit."
Guard Tyshawn Taylor played a big part in the offensive fireworks that took place inside Allen Fieldhouse. The sophomore finally came out of his slump and finished the night with 18 points off of 7-9 shooting.
"I can't even remember the last time I hit a jumpshot," Taylor said. "I knew it was going to come, I just didn't know when. I am just glad it is over with now."
How did Taylor know that his slump was officially over? The banked three in the second half of course. Mark this down for a possible Tyshawn Taylor trivia question, but according to the sophomore, most of the big games in his career usually include a banked three pointer.
"I have to bank a three in order for me to score points," Taylor said. "If I am scoring, then you are going to see a bank shot."
The banked shot was a big hit with his teammates. Of course, the shot raises the question - did he call it? The ruling from the bench is a negative.
"He always tries to say he called it but you got to put your hand up and say you called it," Marcus Morris said. "I told him he could've hit that one from halfcourt if he wanted to."
As much as Taylor talked about his banked three, it will probably be his dunks that make all the local highlight shows tonight. His alley oop from Sherron Collins may have brought the loudest reaction from the crowd, but his favorite was the double clutch slam.
"I have been practicing that," Taylor said with a grin.
Taylor wasn't the only player to come out of a recent skid. Forward Cole Aldrich had one of his best games of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds
"Finally, it is a little weight off my back that I can finally know and play the way I used to play," Aldrich said. "It was just a little funk that everybody goes through. Finally, I broke through it."
Taylor and Aldrich both said they spent extra time in the gym during their slumps as a way to help them get back on track.
"Tonight was just the night," Taylor said. "I shot it and let it go. It felt good every time, even the air ball felt good for a second, until I looked at it. It was just a good night for me."